Ruled by an absolute monarchy and trapped in a system of feudal relationships, nearly all segments of French society were unhappy in the late 18th century. Despite widespread hardships, ongoing financial problems and challenges by enlightenment thinkers, King Louis XVI was more concerned with his own personal affairs than matters of state. The French Revolution examines how all classes of French society revolted against the King's regime and rejected a society based on heredity and privilege, resulting in an often violent struggle to determine the future of France. Expert commentary, primary documents and archival images bring the themes of the revolution to life, and students learn that while the revolution failed to permanently overturn the old order, the ideals and reforms of the revolution spread throughout the world.